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Cute video shows leadership change at Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz

Dr Dieter Zetsche steps down as chairman after 13 years in the role, and hands over the reins to Ola Källenius

Daimler / LinkedIn

Zetsche hands over the reins to Källenius.

26 May 2019

German auto-maker Daimler AG and its marquee brand Mercedes-Benz have a new board chairman after Dr Dieter Zetsche stepped down from his position following 13 years in the role, with Ola Källenius named his successor – and Daimler AG has announced the move in a heart-warming video doing the rounds on professional networking website LinkedIn.

Zetsche's appointment to Daimler AG's supervisory board will be proposed to shareholders at the 2021 Annual Meeting, marketing the completion of his two-year cooling off period.

Starting as junior group manager in 1976 at Daimler, Zetsche has held numerous management positions at the company, such as Mercedes-Benz's head of sales in 1995; Chrysler chief executive officer and president between 2000-05; and head of Mercedes-Benz Car Group since 2005.

Källenius joined the Daimler Group in 1995 as well, and was named member of Daimler's board, with responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Cars' marketing and sales, in January 2015.

He was named head of group research and Mercedes-Benz Cars' development in January 2017, and is succeeded in his now-former role by Markus Schäfer, according to Construction Week's sister title PMV Middle East.

"He has successfully led Daimler back to the top, also through difficult terrain. Together with the employees, he has pushed forward the company’s fundamental transformation. Under his leadership, Daimler has laid the foundation for a good future. He deserves our unqualified gratitude.

“With Ola Källenius, we have appointed a recognised, internationally experienced, and successful executive from within the group, who can also inspire people for a cause,” Bischoff added.

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